not many people are aware that sikkim has many local festivals which are unique to it. such festivals are celebrated with lot of pomp, dedication and is as per buddhist calendar. dance, music, vibrant nature are common to most of these festivals.

chaam, a fascinating masked and costume dance accompanied by music using traditional musical instruments are performed by monks. chaam is considered to be a form of meditation and an offering to the gods. it is a dance symbolising the victory of good over evil. it is believed that through such dance the monks draw the evil from crowd and from the surrounding world. as per belief the first chaam was performed by guru padmasambhava (guru rinpoche) in 740-760 ad.

some of the key festivals of sikkim are given below

• losoong or namsoong festival: sikkimese new year which marks the end of harvest season. it is usually celebrated in the month of december continues for 5 days.
• sonam lhochar festival: an extravagant celebration which is usually celebrated in january or february spring season
• losar: tibetan new year which is celebrated in the month of february celebrating a farmer’s hard work
• bhumchu: held in tashiding monastery in january, through this festival future of sikkim is predicted. during this festival a sacred pot of water is opened up only once on this date. if the water is to the brim, it foretells a year in which peace and prosperity will prevail. if the water is over the brim and is spilling, it signifies a year with natural disaster and disturbances. if the water level is low or almost dry it signifies famine.
• chaite dashain: ram navami of sikkim, a festival dedicated to mark the birth of lord rama
• saga dawa: celebrated as buddha purnima across india, it is one of the most important festival. it is believed that on this day buddha was born, attained enlightenment and achieved nirvana.
• tendong lho rum faat: one of the oldest festivals of lepchas usually held in august.
• indra jatra: festival celebrated by newar community to pay homage to lord indra for rains and good harvest
• pang lhabsol: celebtrates the declaration of mount khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of sikkim.
• tihar: diwali of sikkim is celebrated as festival of lights
• annual sikkim paragliding festival: organised by tourism and civil aviation department of sikkim government with paragliding association of india and sikkim paragliding adventure sports cooperative society limited
• mangan music festival: to uplift the mood celebrated in the month of december
• dassain (durga puja): main festival of hindu nepalese of sikkim celebrated in september /october each year.